The Enigma of Garlic: A 44 Scotland Street Novel

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Olive and Pansy indulge in cancel culture but are unable to get Tofu to react as intended; Irene coins the term “toxic caninity” with reference to the gold-toothed Cyril; Sister Maria-Fiore reveals a past in the Vatican’s Intelligence Service and puts it to good use in discovering the truth about Fat Bob. Following all sixteen books in the series is like catching up with old friends. These are comfortable, relaxing books told with wit, humour, wisdom, and a quiet philosophy to ponder. I always look forward to the newest edition. There was a limited amount of actual character development with a few exceptions. I felt too much time was spent in conversations between inhabitants of Scotland Street with debates about serious or profound subjects. Thought-provoking philosophies were revealed, and even arguments about trivial matters. At Big Lou’s wedding, Bertie’s nemesis, Olive reinforces her intent to make him marry her, after which she and her lieutenant, Pansy force Bertie and his best friend, Ranald Braveheart Macpherson to dance with them; then, not yet long wed, Big Lou is given cause to doubt Fat Bob’s goodness: no honeymoon, Bob frequently absent, and murmurings…

The Enigma of Garlic : Alexander McCall Smith - Pinterest The Enigma of Garlic : Alexander McCall Smith - Pinterest

When you are with somebody you love the smallest, smallest things can be so important, so amusing because love transforms the world, everything. And was that what had happened? Little does Bertie know that his horrible mother, Irene, has returned to Edinburgh. She claims she has changed for the better. Her affair with the psychiatrist has ended. Bertie's father, Stuart, once under the domination of Irene, is now under his mother's control. His mother forbids Irene to stay in the family home. Has Irene possibly changed, and how will Bertie react to her return?

Some of the storylines in this particular instalment were a little jarring. Still, at least there was no Nudist association or Duke of Johannesburg storyline. A collective sigh of relief must have been heard from many readers lips when she left Scotland Street. This sixteenth (!!) volume of the 44 Scotland St series is as full of kindness, gratitude, humbling observations, and humor as the others. We meet most of the same characters in many of the same situations as usual and catch up with what they have been doing. The latest in the hugely popular 44 Scotland Street series from the worldwide bestselling author, Alexander McCall Smith The relative peace and tranquillity of 44 Scotland Street is about to be disrupted. Irene is to return for a two-month stay, consigning Bertie to a summer camp. Not satisfied with that, she somehow manages to come between the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, and her friend, the hagiographer, Antonia Collie.

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It’s the most anticipated, and perhaps controversial, event of the decade—Lou and Bob’s wedding—and everyone is invited. But the relative peace and tranquility of 44 Scotland Street is about to be disrupted. Outspoken Irene is returning home for a two-month stay, with plans to send young Bertie As for Bruce, I am left wondering how long this new persona will last. Not to be too much of a pessimist, and I do believe people can change, but … really?? The Enigma Of Garlic is the sixteenth book in the popular 44 Scotland Street Series by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. The reader is, once again, brought up to date on the lives of our favourite Edinburgh residents.

The Enigma of Garlic

I am getting tired of Olive; she and Pansy seem a bit too crafty and calculating for their age ..I’d like to see time move a little faster for Bertie ..will he ever reach the ripe old age of 8!?

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Can we really believe that both Bruce and Irene have reformed into more humble, reasonable human beings? At least Olive is still as odious as ever! But poor Bertie. I hope he stands up to her before too long. At least he has his friend Ranald and the prospect of Glasgow to look forward to. If your ceiling should fall down, then you have lost a room, but gained a courtyard. Think of it that way. Every autumn, I look forward to the latest installment of 44 Scotland St. Reading each book is like sitting down with old friends to discuss what’s been going on in their lives and their spheres of influence. This latest installment was a delight. As always, Alexander McCall Smith has incorporated some tension into several of the plot lines within this book with resolutions that involve, as his plots usually do, characters who choose to act with kindness, humility, and concern for others. Even Bruce and Irene.comfortable in his new surroundings and discovers that his talented patron’s shoes are all too easy to slip into. With great taste comes great responsibility. Bertie was composed of goodness, and sometimes goodness means that you take the blame for things you haven’t done. You accept it. You bear it. And he had borne so much in his brief seven years that a little more would not make much difference.”

The Enigma of Garlic (44 Scotland Street Book 16) eBook The Enigma of Garlic (44 Scotland Street Book 16) eBook

As always, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna is her hilariously helpful self by way of being nosy, but in doing so, resolves a huge concern for Big Lou following her wedding. Bruce’s visit to the monastery changes his life even more. Irene is a changed woman. Wait, really? We shall see, I suppose. I only wish we’d had more interaction with Bertie in this novel. The eternal seven-year-old is largely absent here, with only a few peeps into his camping (mis)adventures. What there is of Bertie, though, shows his patience and kindness, and is endearing and makes one love him even more. It’s the most anticipated event of the decade—Big Lou and Fat Bob’s wedding—and everyone is invited! But the relative peace and tranquillity of 44 Scotland Street is about to be disrupted. Domineering Irene is set to return for a two-month stay, consigning young Bertie to a summer camp. Not content with that, she somehow manages to come between the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, and her friend, the hagiographer, Antonia Collie. When Irene turns up at the Scotland Street flat without advance notice, readers will be cheering Nicola on as she handles the unwelcome arrival, but that doesn’t go quite how either woman expects; Bertie is booked into summer-camp, and hopes he will be allowed a penknife; Elspeth lies to Matthew, and they both spend quite some time agonising over it. The story begins with a celebration of the wedding of Big Lou and Fat Bob. She is too busy running her restaurant and cooking her famous bacon rolls to consider a honeymoon. Fat Bob is frequently absent. Rumours are that he is having an affair and is sighted with another woman. We learn that the busybody Italian nun, Sister Marie Fiore dei Flori de Montegna was a member of the Vatican's secret spy organization. She is determined to discover the truth about Big Bob being unfaithful and may stir up more heartache for Big Lou. to a sleepaway camp—a most unappealing proposition. She also manages to come between the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, and her dear friend, Antonia Collie.

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Seven-year-old Bertie continues to embody goodness, often to his detriment. He attends a summer camp with his friend, Randall Braveheart MacPherson, where Olive and Pansy continue tormenting them. Olive insists that Bertie's future will include his marriage to her. Bertie fears his fate will be connected with the alignment of the stars and planets and will doom him to such a dreaded marriage. He gets in trouble when Olive endangers the group on a hike. She blames Bertie, who accepts the blame. He still regards Glasgow as a joyful promised land where he would be free of restrictions and Olive. Every chapter was a little gift of philosophy, gentle humor, and kindness. I loved the theme of "change". I can honestly say that reading this book series (and this book in particular) makes me want to be a better person. I think my favorite author, Alexander McCall Smith, is just getting more profound with age.